Top Comics Writer and Cultural Icon Joins Comics’ Most Diverse and Inclusive Universe to Define Its Future

ST. LOUIS, MO—Just over one year since the Catalyst Prime Universe debuted to much acclaim throughout the landscape of pop culture, Lion Forge unveils the next phase in comics’ most inclusive and diverse group of heroes with the announcement of the addition of comic book thought leader Gail Simone serving as chief architect of the Lion Forge universe of titles.

The Catalyst Prime Universe is home to two ongoing titles, with four more to launch by year’s end. The current titles are Noble and Accell. The next title, to launch this month, is Incidentals.

“This is one of the most thrilling things to come along in my career,” says Gail Simone. “I get to work with amazing creators on incredible new books, and everyone is simply devoted to one thing: making the best possible stories, period. That’s what I got into comics for.”

“While our time as a publisher of superhero titles has been relatively short-lived compared to some of our contemporaries, we have already been incredibly fortunate to count tremendous talent among all who have worked on the Catalyst Prime Universe of books,” says Lion Forge founder David Steward II. “We remain committed to finding new and interesting ways to translate our vision for these books to audiences hungry for content that reflects their own experience. Bringing Gail Simone aboard this ever-growing lineup of heroes is one of the most exciting developments since Carl Reed and I first conceived of these characters. There is no one more qualified to bring even more energy, excitement, and innovation to this universe, and we are thrilled to have her unique voice and expertise as we continue to create comics for tomorrow today.”

“Gail Simone brings her ability to see things from a wholly unique perspective to Catalyst Prime, with a sharp sense of wit to boot,” says Lion Forge co-founder Carl Reed. “She has penned some of my favorite runs from the Big Two, and we are honored to collaborate with such a dynamic creator.”

“Gail Simone’s ability to write some of the most compelling superhero characters of our time in storylines and universes that were created three-quarters of a century before her contributions speaks to her talent as a writer,” says Lion Forge president Geoff Gerber. “Her leadership on representation of women in superhero comics speaks to her fit with Lion Forge and its mission distilled in our slogan as ‘Comics for Everyone.’ It is inspiring to think what she will be able to do with the amazing team of current creators working on Catalyst Prime when we set her loose on an emerging universe conceived and executed for a contemporary audience that, from its inception, has been inclusive and entertaining.”

Simone continues, “I am so excited to get to help build and shape something like this. I can’t wait for new readers to meet Noble and Summit and Accell and all the rest. These characters have very quickly developed into some of my new favorites. What we are planning feels almost revolutionary. It reminds me of being a kid and discovering the X-Men for the first time, that same kind of awe and delight. It feels like Lion Forge is making comics for the future, and I can’t wait to be part of it!”

Gail Simone is an award-winning, fan-favorite writer of comics and animation, having helped define characters like Deadpool, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, and Red Sonja. She also created the series Clean Room(with Jon Davis Hunt) and Crosswind(with Cat Staggs), both of which have been optioned as television series. She has long been an advocate of inclusion in comics and lives on the Oregon coast with her family.